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How Can I Become More Secure?: A Grounded Theory of Earning Secure Attachment
Author(s) -
Dansby Olufowote Rachael A.,
Fife Stephen T.,
Schleiden Cydney,
Whiting Jason B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12409
Subject(s) - grounded theory , attachment theory , constructivist grounded theory , psychology , interpersonal communication , process (computing) , interpersonal relationship , psychological theory , social psychology , psychotherapist , qualitative research , developmental psychology , sociology , social science , computer science , operating system
The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of earning secure attachment. This study included 15 women and 5 men who met the criteria of having a self‐reported history of attachment insecurity and demonstrated evidence of earned security. The grand tour research question, How do adults with a history of insecure attachment earn security? , was explored using constructivist grounded theory and semi‐structured interviews emphasizing processes of positive attachment change. The results describe a process model of change hinging on three interrelated categories: meta‐conditions of positive attachment change, making intrapsychic changes , and making interpersonal changes . Clinical implications include the importance of clients committing to the process, clients working with a clinician trained in trauma‐focused therapy, and clinicians being surrogate attachment figures for clients.